UWO Doesn’t Violate Human Rights- Prof. Owasanye

The Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has said that the introduction of the unexplained wealth order (UWO) will not violate the fundamental human rights constitutional provision. The UWO seeks forfeiture of properties above N25 Million (£50,000), the source of funding of which cannot be reasonably accounted for. […]

The Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has said that the introduction of the unexplained wealth order (UWO) will not violate the fundamental human rights constitutional provision.

The UWO seeks forfeiture of properties above N25 Million (£50,000), the source of funding of which cannot be reasonably accounted for. It is also a tool with which the property itself would be docked and asked to explain itself, failing which it risks forfeiture to the UK government.

Explaining how it works, Prof. Owasanoye said recently at a workshop jointly organised by PACAC DFID, that it is the property itself and not the owner that will be seized until it is able to account for its sources of funding.  

“We know that huge resources are laundered from Nigeria to foreign countries especially the UK in form of school fees, properties and luxury trips. British government is desirous of stopping the unexplained wealth,” Owasanoye said. 

He said the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty is only available for human beings and not properties, such as expensive houses in London.

Investigation shows that London is a money laundering haven with over 36,000 properties acquired with corrupt capital stolen from around the world.

According to him, the interim forfeiture order (IFO) will become absolute forfeiture where the property or the owners cannot satisfactorily account for the source of wealth.  

He mentioned that the UWO can only be used for serious crime, adding that both the press and civil society organisations can take advantage of the UWO in the fight against corruption. 

Criminals, according to him view being nabbed as an occupational hazard but do not want the pain that they will lose their assets.